Elwood 'Chris' Conway III

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Chris was one of my best friends at Collins Lane Elementary and Bondurant Junior High. He was a bright light and someone who could always make me smile. We shared a love of music and talking (often getting called down by our teachers). I moved away from Frankfort during high school but still remained in touch with Chris through music. We later were connected through his family. He married one of my best friends in high school's cousin. So, while I rarely saw Chris the past several years I did keep up on him. I am sad he is gone and pray for his dear family that they find strength and comfort in his bright life & light. I still cannot believe he is gone.

Love to those who loved him most.

Cindy Pope Tripp

Bob_Goins

February 17, 2014 10:20PM

Chris and I were great friends in high school, and although I moved away after graduation to go to school at Ohio State, we remained friends right until the end, getting together on far too rare occasions. I was a year younger than Chris at Western Hills, so we only had a couple of classes together, the most important of which was BAND! Chris was what I consider one of the "founding fathers" of the Western Hills Band. He was the first-ever drum major at the school, the first-ever band president (I believe), and was arguably the most talented musician to ever walk the halls of that school. It is because of the immense talent of people like Chris Conway that the Western Hills Band was widely regarded as one of the best high school band programs in the country from day one. His tremendous talent, and his infectiuos passion for music raised the level of musicianship in all of those around him, and helped establish the standard of excellence that the Western Hills Band program is known for to this day.

Although Chris was undoubtedly a talented musician, he was also one of the smartest people I ever had the priviledge of knowing, and he possessed the one trait that I covet most dearly in all of my close friends - the ability to make me laugh. I cannot look back at anything I ever did with Chris Conway without remembering the hysterical laughter that accompanied our times together. And with Chris, sometimes you laughed WITH HIM, and sometimes you laughed AT HIM, but you always laughed. It is those good times that I will cherish for the rest of my days.

Chris was also an incredibly loyal friend who treated me like a brother, which I will never forget. When I was still too young to drive, Chris (along with Dudley Harrod) always drove me to band practices, ball games, parties, etc... And because I was always with them, I was subsequently injected into the local high school social scene, which in turn, helped put me "on the map", so to speak. And that's a huge thing when you're a 15 year old guy without a license or a car. Needless to say, I am forever grateful that they decided to take me under their wing and let me ride along on their escapades. It was while hanging out with Chris and the rest of the "gang" that most of our laughter took place. We had such great times! I remember one time we got kicked out of a party that we all thought we were going to be allowed to spend the night at (Blackburn's house), so out of sheer desperation, about 10 of us actually spent the night in Chris' car!!! Of course, as luck would have it, it was also about 5 degrees outside! As if that weren't bad enough, the 10 of us later got hungry and drove all the way across town to eat breakfast at the "Farmer's Kitchen", with the car about one inch off the ground the whole way. It's a wonder we didn't get pulled over...

Chris was absolutely one of the most wonderful and dynamic people I ever met, plain and simple. He was a true original, and thus, there will never be another one like him. He belongs to the ages now. I will always be thankful that I had the pleasure to not only know him, but to also call him a dear friend. Rest in peace my good man...

My condolences to his family.

Bob Goins

B_Graves

February 17, 2014 1:35PM

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. My daughter took lessons from him and he was a wonderful bassoon instructor! He will definitely be missed by many.

Maria_Rutherford

February 17, 2014 11:58AM

Chris will be missed by all. He was truly a blessing with his humor, a caring friend who was always willing to go the extra mile for his friends, and an inspiration to all who had the opportunity to walk along side him as a friend. My heartfelt prayers go to his family, wife, and children. Heaven is blessed. We are blessed to have known him.

KarenEmbry

February 17, 2014 11:02AM

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time. Our hearts are very sad with his passing and we will all miss him very much.

Karen, Darrell and Kat Embry

Steve_Fry

February 17, 2014 9:10AM

This is such a tragedy. The world has lost a talented, funny and very personable man. My heart goes out to his family.